PMB REITERATES COMMITMENT TO PAYMENT OF NEW NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

President Muhamamdu Buhari has reiterated his commitment to payment of the new National Minimum Wage.

Inaugurating a Technical Advisory Committee on the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage shortly before the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, President Buhari restated his commitment to an upward review of the minimum wage.

He said the committee would recommend “modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage in a way that it would minimize inflationary impact, as well as ensure that its introduction did not lead to job losses”.

He, however, revealed that the Federal Government had engaged State Governments with a view to taking them along in determining any upward review of the minimum wage for workers.

The President said the Federal Government on its part had made adequate provision for the increase in the Minimum Wage in its 2019 Budget proposals which was submitted to the National Assembly last month.

According to him, the Federal Government will be able to meet the additional costs incurred in moving up all personnel who are currently earning below the new minimum wage.

The President said the committee, which would be chaired by an Economist and Financial Expert, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, was expected to complete its deliberations and submit its report and recommendations within one month.

OBIORA EZE